Researchers have discovered that pterosaurs likely utilized all four limbs to achieve flight, similar to the way bats do today.
Recent findings published in PeerJ offer fresh perspectives on how pterosaurs managed to fly despite their significantly larger sizes compared to contemporary flying creatures. The research highlights the unique jumping abilities these animals had, with some boasting wingspans exceeding ten meters.
This study, conducted by a group of scientists from the University of Bristol, Liverpool John Moores University, Universidade Federal do ABC, and the University of Keele, is the culmination of years of research focused on how muscle interactions with bones generate movement in animals. Their work aims to uncover how the largest known flying creatures successfully took to the sky.
The research team developed the first computer model specifically for analyzing pterosaur takeoff techniques. They examined three potential methods for how pterosaurs may have launched into the air: a vertical jump using only their legs, akin to terrestrial birds; a less vertical leap also relying solely on their legs, similar to frequent-flying birds; and a four-limbed jump that incorporates their wings, reminiscent of how bats take off. By replicating these actions, the scientists sought to gain insights into how much leverage these animals had to elevate themselves.
“Larger animals face greater challenges when it comes to flying, which makes the fact that creatures as large as pterosaurs could do so particularly intriguing,” noted Dr. Ben Griffin, the lead author. “In contrast to birds that primarily depend on their hind limbs, our models suggest that pterosaurs were more inclined to utilize all four limbs to lift themselves into the air.”
This research delves into one of the enduring mysteries surrounding pterosaur biomechanics. It not only deepens the understanding of pterosaur biology but also sheds light on the constraints and dynamics of flight in large animals. By drawing comparisons between pterosaurs, modern birds, and bats, the study underscores the remarkable evolutionary adaptations developed to tackle the challenge of powered flight.
